Why Turmeric?

Why Turmeric? Why Golden Milk?

What is Turmeric?

The health and flavor benefits of Turmeric have long been celebrated throughout the world. Turmeric has been used as an essential spice in many parts of Indo-Asian cuisine. It is used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine to reduce inflammation and help in the healing process of physical injuries and pain management. Additionally, Turmeric has the ability to increase antioxidant capacity in the body and help with depression.

Turmeric, when used as a spice is what gives curry that sweet yellow color. Nowadays you can find turmeric almost everywhere and in all forms. If you look in the vitamin, remedy, or supplement aisle of any grocery store whether the store is labeled as a health store or not you will find Turmeric in pill or capsule form. It is recommended now in common medicine as an amazing supplement to reduce pain and inflammation.

Fresh Turmeric root from the farm in Costa Rica.

Pain and Anti-inflammatory Benefits

At this point there have been several scientific studies that have shown that Turmeric helps human immune response in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Two common NSAIDs are “aspirin” and “ibuprofen” which are commonly found in household home remedy kits. Turmeric and its associated Curcumin have been used to treat Arthritis, which is a common problem as we age. In some cases, studies have shown Curcumin to be even more effective than anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs.

A few things to note about Turmeric. It is safe to ingest without any side effects, besides some mild GI (gastrointestinal) discomfort in some people. Turmeric is a spice from the Ginger family and one of its active components is Curcumin, which makes up 3% - 10% of the Turmeric powder we can extract. While using straight Turmeric, not the Curcumin extract, as a spice in your foods can help you realize some of its health benefits, they will be extremely mild. It really is this Curcumin extract that has the medicinal properties we commonly hear about and are discussing in this article.

At Elixir Bar we use a highly concentrated Curcumin powder extract, locally grown in Costa Rica, which you would not necessarily use for cooking. It is great to brew into teas and the beverages we serve, especially our Golden Milk and Tummy Tonic. It is the isolated Curcumin extract that is responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties that can be compared to pharmaceutical drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

While Turmeric is becoming widely known as a super spice with magical powers, the bioavailability of Turmeric is quite low and one does need to use a lot of it to realize its health benefits. This is why using a Curcumin extract is important if you are using it for its health benefits. One trick that many people already know about is to use Black Pepper (Cayenne also works) to aid in the availability and absorption of Turmeric in our bodies. Black Pepper (and Cayenne) contains what is called Peperine, which is shown to help the absorption of Curcumin by up to 2,000%. Yes, we do add the perfect amount of Black Pepper to the Golden Milk and Cayenne to the Tummy Tonic we serve at Elixir Bar.

Did you ever think you would enjoy a beverage with Black Pepper or Cayenne?

Turmeric root drying and waiting to be ground int0 powder.

Antioxidant Qualities

At this point we have covered some of the benefits that Turmeric and Curcumin have for anti-inflammation and pain reduction, but what about its antioxidant qualities? Oxidative damage is a key factor affecting many diseases and aging. Antioxidants such as Blueberries, Broccoli, Garlic, Dark Leafy Greens, and more are important because they protect the body from free radicals. In short, free radicals in the body can negatively affect the body’s ability to grow new, healthy cells, leading to a wide range of diseases and aging. The wrinkles we get on our skin as a result of aging is a good example of free radicals at work. Antioxidants are molecules that prevent the oxidation of other molecules. Think of them as the equivalent to using a product to protect metal from rusting. If metal is not treated well it can rust, turn ugly and unstable, and eventually completely fall apart. This is the same in the human body.

Turmeric and Depression

Now let’s talk about depression. Turmeric, in recent years is being heavily studied by modern science and medicine and is proving to be effective in treating and managing depression. While there are many factors affecting depression and there is no one-size fits all cause and solution, science claims that one of the many causes of depression is a deficiency in monoamines. Evidence that Curcumin is able to influence levels of monoamines in the central nervous system are now emerging. We have all heard the terms serotonin, adrenaline, and dopamine and how these affect the central nervous system; these are all examples of monoamines.

If we consider that pain, inflammation, aging, and oxidation can also contribute to depression we can see that Turmeric and its associated Curcumin can work in unison the regulate the body and help you be your best self. Pain puts me in a bad mood. Inflammation is inconvenient and hard to deal with.

Look, we can discuss external studies, tests, and scientific findings but the real proof is in how it makes you feel, right?

Our Golden Milk is a customer favorite and along with fresh Curcuma is made with the freshest Coconut Milk available; made locally using coconuts from the beaches between Parrita and Jacó, Costa Rica

How it Makes Me Feel

While I have loved the flavors, scents, and colors of Indo-Asian foods for many years, the health benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin are something that I have personally experienced in my life. As an avid “extreme sports” athlete engaging in rock-climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and surfing I have sustained my fair share of injuries over the years. From breaking ankles to dealing with knee bursitis, it’s been quite a journey to keep my own body in working condition.

I was first turned on to the healing properties of Turmeric and Curcumin as I was managing a case of mild knee bursitis after colliding with a tree at full throttle snowboarding through dense trees. My knee took the full impact and I am still amazed to this day that it did not bust into a million pieces. As part of my healing therapy my naturopathic physician had me applying a Turmeric and Castor Oil topical treatment and I was completely amazed at how it helped me in my healing process. This is known as a common therapy to treat wrinkles and acne but it is also used to treat internal inflammation and injury.

Over the years Turmeric and Curcumin have been recommended to me by physicians, natural healers and has come up in conversation with my parents who tell me that their doctors are recommending it to them for their ailments. I seemingly cannot get away from conversations regarding the wonder spice.

Now as I introduce my magical beverages to Costa Rica, I am using Curcumin in at least two of the beverages served at the Elixir Bar and I will add more options to the menu as time goes on. The thing is with these beverages is that they are not only natural medicines and remedies but they also taste amazing. I am drinking Golden Milk everyday, it tastes delicious and I can actually feel how it, along with my other magical beverages such as Mushy Maté and Cacao, is affecting my overall state of being and actually making me Happy!